A warm and symbolic diplomatic moment unfolded as President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, arrived at the Indonesian Military Academy (Akmil) in Magelang alongside French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday afternoon (May 29).
The two leaders arrived at the academy at around 11:45 AM local time, after sharing a helicopter ride from Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA), where they landed at 9:39 AM.
Both leaders appeared in matching white shirts, walking side by side toward a dark green Maung tactical vehicle. In a rare and friendly gesture, President Prabowo personally took the wheel, driving the vehicle with President Macron seated beside him—highlighting the camaraderie and mutual respect between the two heads of state.
Upon their arrival at the Akmil complex, they were greeted with full military honors. Rows of Honor Guards, Mounted Cavalry, and local elementary school students waving Indonesian and French flags added a vibrant and enthusiastic welcome for the visiting leaders.
This visit was part of President Macron’s official state trip to Indonesia. Prabowo had extended a personal invitation to Macron to observe firsthand the education and training of cadets at the military academy, while also strengthening bilateral defense cooperation.
“I have also invited President Macron to join me tomorrow in observing our training and education activities at the Military Academy in Magelang. We will continue our defense cooperation, including the development of human resource capacities,” Prabowo had stated the day before, on Wednesday (May 28).
